In the dead of winter there are very few things you can do to your hunting property to help with your deer hunting. The frozen ground, and snow on top of it make any ground work impossible.

You can take down your stands for the next few months to help protect seat cushions and to extend the life of the stands. Another good option is to prune fruit trees on the property. Winter is the preferred time to prune apple trees in orchards and to prune grape vines at wineries so it makes sense to prune wild apple and pear trees now also.

Unpruned trees can end up with a lot of moisture in the canopy of the tree that leads to mildew and fruit loss. Also, by removing sick or injured limbs you can help the tree thrive and produce more fruit.

To do a thorough job, you’re going to want to a pole saw or extendable pruning saw such as the Hooyman brand of saws, some decent gloves, eye protection, and a 6-foot ladder. If you can use a battery or gas-powered pole saw, you can save a lot of time and energy, just be sure to be always be aware of where the bar and chain are. Also, wear hearing protection if using a gas-powered saw.